It’s a GIRL!

Besides the fact that my career is planning events, hosting a baby shower for a friend or family member is one of my favourite things! Long go the days of baby shower themes involving storks & giant pink safety pins. Today, showers are all about beautiful & modern ideas from invitations to decor, delicious menus & adorable details. Anything that will make the mother to be feel incredibly special!

In celebration of my beautiful baby daughter, Lucia Tait, born this past February, I have been fortunate enough to be on the other side of the baby shower, as the honoured guest, instead of the event planner. How I LOVE a good party! Friends & family from different circles, all coming together to celebrate a new life!

1. Create a Theme – A baby shower theme can be as simple as picking a favourite color and expanding from there.

2. Send out personalized Invitations – A custom invitation that is specific to the theme of your party will ‘wow’ your guests and start your planning in the right direction.

3. Enhance the space with Decor– Once chosen on a color theme, the decor can show up in a variety of ways to enhance the space you’re in. Work with the space to get the most out of every corner. From linen to flowers and candles to even creatively use the new babies name in a decorative way.

4. Choose a Menu – Foods that are rich and full of life as well as easy to prepare and serve make for the perfect shower menu. That way you’ll spend the most time with your guests instead of in the kitchen. Don’t forget a refreshing cocktail/mocktail to enhance the celebration!

5. Hand out creative Favours – Traditionally a favour is given to each guest to thank them for attending. These can range from edible chocolates, candy or fruit to decorative items such as soaps, candles, or flowers; or even a memorable keepsake such as a photo of the new baby. Favours are not only thoughtful, but can be creatively displayed to provide extra decor for the party.

By following these simple steps your next baby shower will be a beautiful, detailed & fun event that won’t soon be forgotten.



Kimberly Evans
Partner & Director of Special Events

Spring Sprint 2011

When I look at this picture it tells me two things…..one that this little boy has had one very tough year. The other thing it tells me is that Kolbjorn Friggstad at 8 years young is a fighter! I had the great pleasure of working on a very special event called Spring Sprint. Spring Sprint is an event through the Brain Tumour foundation of Canada. The money that is raised from this event is used for Brain Tumour research. I myself am an event planner with RSVP Event Design. Coordinating this event for the past 4 years has meant so much to me. Each year I am  overwhelmed by the generosity, courage and hope that each of the participants and survivors bring to this event. We as a company have coordinated this event for the past 6 years now and are thrilled to see how much the event has grown! Kol Friggstad was chosen as the spokesperson for this event. Here is Little Kol’s Big Story!.......




The middle child of Kirk and Kristen Friggstad, Kolbjorn (Kol) is eight-years old and is the only boy in the family of five children. Busy with piano, voice lessons, and home schooling, this Outlook, Saskatchewan family was unprepared for sudden change to their life when Kol was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Now, one year later, the entire Friggstad family is gearing up for the Saskatoon Spring Sprint to raise funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

In April 2010 Kol was suffering from regular headaches and nausea. Initially Kirk and Kristen thought it could have been food sensitivities, so they began changing diet and looking for patterns. Concerned about the headaches, Kristen took Kol to the doctor but because Kol also had ear and throat infections, that was determined to be the issue. Then on May 25, 2010 the headaches became much worse and just wouldn’t go away.

Then Kirk and Kristen became concerned about dehydration because Kol wasn’t keeping anything in his system. So on the night of Thursday, May 27, 2010, they took him to their local Emergency Room. The doctor sent Kol to Saskatoon right away; they were concerned it was meningitis. Most of that night was spent trying different medications, even morphine at one point, for Kol’s pain and nausea.

A CT scan was scheduled for 8:30 AM and later that morning, the Friggstads learned there was some form of mass in Kol’s brain which was blocking the natural drainage of the ventricles. It was pressure from the build-up of spinal fluid that had been causing the headaches. An MRI followed that afternoon and Kol was immediately scheduled for surgery. It was 36 hours between seeing the doctor at the ER in Outlook and surgery in Saskatoon. The surgery was Saturday morning, May 29. It was the same day of the Saskatoon Spring Sprint in 2010.

A week later, Kirk and Kristen learned the term, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour (sPNET). “We were completely shocked when we learned that it was a grade four tumour of a very aggressive form of cancer,” recalls Kristen.

Kol has since had 29 radiation treatments, which began July 7, 2010. Chemotherapy maintenance started in September with 28 day cycles times six, which just finished at the end of February. When asked what he remembers, Kol simple says, “My head really hurt. It’s pretty much all I remember.” He has returned to being an active eight year old where “Reading is my favourite and playing video games,” says Kol. “My life has changed. I’m having a lot more new foods and being careful about what I eat.”

While the ordeal was difficult on the entire family, “There was a lot of support from everybody. My parents cashed in their trip insurance and came home Sunday night,” recalls Kirk who cautions other families in a similar situation to “Not panic. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or accept help from those who offer it, and be willing to learn and do your own research. It’s been quite a learning curve.” One way the family has coped with the journey is by sharing it via their blog: http://kolupdate.blogspot.com/.

While the Friggstads are grateful to friends and family for their support, including with their four girls, Julianna, Mari, Birgitte, and Annika, they are also grateful for the support they received from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “For us it’s really been the handbook and the Saskatoon support group that have been most helpful, and are so important for those dealing with a brain tumour either themselves or with someone in their family. It would be much harder without the types of services Brain Tumour Foundation provides,” explains Kirk. “By the end of the first support group meeting we felt that these were our people and they could identify with what we were facing.”



It was an honour to Celebrate with Kol and the Friggstad family on June 5th at 2011 at the Spring Sprint. With 300 people watching this brave boy gave a wonderful speech filled with laughter, love and courage. Here it is for those of you who would like to have a look! http://youtu.be/aOR6fqK8-K0



See you all next year at Spring Sprint 2012!



Karen Linsley

Event Specialist

Etiquette in the 21st Century

One of my favourite resource books on the shelf in my office is the Emily Post Etiquette book, which I refer to occasionally to ensure I am suggesting the appropriate wording on event invitations and offering insight for appropriate plans for clients on their up-coming events. It is an interesting resource book with very current information on how to communicate and behave appropriately with guests, friends, family and the general public, but it sounds so formal. So it makes me wonder if there is a place in the 21st Century for Emily Post Etiquette Guide.

YOU BET!

The book is cleverly named Etiquette, The Definitive Guide to Manners, which actually makes me giggle when I pick it up to refer my clients to the content, as it seems to be somewhat a book of common sense. But as I look more closely, open the cover and review the content, this book covers topics not only from Everyday Etiquette, Dining, and Celebrations but to Relationships, Being Thoughtful, Communication and Protocol, Teenagers, and You and Your Job. It is a book of helpful hints for us to hone our Emotional Intelligence – how to relate and deal with people appropriately, which I think, is one of the most valuable skills to have.

This book, although commonly used as a resource to assist our clients in wording invitations so to ask for no gifts at their wedding or anniversary, is actually a resource guide on how to behave. How beneficial is a resource book like this when you find yourself in life’s situations? ~ What to do when you forget a person’s name at a dinner party or social function? How to treat the elderly when they get on the bus? How do you talk on your cell phone while respecting those around you and their space? ~

In 2008, I attended an international Event Planners Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the guest speakers at the conference was Sarah Post, Emily Post’s Granddaughter, who is now part of this Etiquette Empire. During her presentation, it was stunning to hear the questions from the crowd in regards to etiquette around cell phone usage, inter-office emailing, properly wording invitations, creating guest lists for events and parties, communicating negative messages, wearing shoes in the office, etc, etc, etc. Common Sense? You might think so, but these were industry professionals obviously wondering about experiences that had affected them, curious to find the answer from an etiquette guru!

Listening to the eloquence of Sarah’s responses still reminds me that we have to continually work on our personal and professional etiquette. Appropriate social behaviour, or the lack thereof, should be carefully studied and practiced. What a better way to understand one another, show empathy, respect and create caring environments in our workplace, at our events and in our everyday lives.

Etiquette in the 21st Century?? You Bet!!

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

—Emily Post

Children's Parties

As I begin writing this blog post I am in the midst of prepping for my son’s 7th birthday party. I spent my day off cutting out 75 circles for the custom monogram I created and the number 7 cupcake picks and water bottle keepsakes. Earlier in the day I sat in front of my sewing machine making 30 + soccer ball shaped goody bags, and I realized I was the only one awake at this late hour. I thought to myself, why the heck am I going through all this trouble? Is he even going to remember these details that have started to overtake my every waking thought? This nagging voice creeps into my head…have kids' birthday celebrations gotten too over the top?


Are we putting to much pressure on ourselves to plan, host, and execute the perfect birthday party ?Are there resources out there that can aide us in this inevitable path that today’s parties are leading us poor parents down…YES !

Many people may cringe at the idea of hiring an event planner to aide in the prep for a child’s birthday. These birthday parties that seem too impossible for you to take on or afford are actually a lot closer to being your reality than you think. In a day and age where both parents work outside the home, and kids extracurricular activities have turned into a parent’s 2nd or 3rd job, you have to ask yourself what is your time worth? Wouldn’t it be much more special for you to take part in your child’s celebration then worrying about the clown showing up or where the candles for the cake got placed? These are the simple tasks we as planners take on – from finding the perfect venue to stuffing goody bags and ordering the cake and making sure it makes it to your location with candles included. We take a theme that you have and create those little magical details that make your child’s day special and memorable for them and for you. How many birthday pictures do you have that include everyone BUT you-? As parents we want to do it all but sometimes doing it all means asking or hiring help.

Over the years I found myself planning elaborate parties for my family & friends. As I began my journey into the event planning business, I have had the honour of helping our clients plan and execute grand parties for their children. From turning the Sheratons, Top of the Inn into a 13year olds dream “Dance and Arcade Extravaganza” to bringing the “Cars Speedway” to a four year olds living room. We have helped bring the “Pirates Treasures” to life in honour of a special 3yr old Scallywag, and turn a 6yr olds “Princess Dreams” into a reality. At each of these events many of the parents of the guests say “can we hire you” not realizing that this is exactly what they can do! Many people out there think that event planners are strictly “Wedding Planners” and though we love our weddings, the possibilities are endless to the events we can bring to life.

In our house we made the family rule that the kids either get a present or a party. My daughter, who was turning 4 at the time, chose to have a party. Like her mother she really enjoys a good party and based on the fact that each year she talks about her next birthday party every single day I’m pretty sure that she will make the same choice for the next few years. At two, my 2nd daughter can't yet communicate that decision herself so I make the choice for her. I choose to have a party because I'm quite positive that when she's older she isn't going to remember if I got her a new toy, but she is going to look back at the pictures of her party and see how much love I poured into it. That is my gift to her.

So I hope to see you at your child’s birthday, relaxing and enjoying another year’s milestone. You can sit back with your child, eat cake and watch as they take in the amazement of what has been created for them, by you with a little help from RSVP.

RSVP Event Design Star Awards Winner

Over a week ago, Crystal Anderson, Director of Weddings and myself, Tammy Forrester, Director of Corporate Events headed to Toronto, ON to participate in the Canadian Special Events Conference and Trade Show as an award nominee for a wedding planned by Crystal Anderson in July 2010. It was exciting to think we were in the presence of companies from across Canada all specializing in event planning, design and décor work. As expected, the creative work implemented by so many companies in Canada was inspiring to see.


At the Awards Gala, there were over 30 different categories of event excellence being awarded that night with over 125 firms recognized. Firms from British Columbia to Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories, all offering a variety of services and décor products to enhance their clients’ event needs. How thrilling – to be seated amongst some of Canada’s top event planning companies and professionals.

The evening was spectacular, the entertainment was wonderful and the night, for us, was unforgettable. After 6+ years in the industry of event planning, design and décor, RSVP Event Design walked away with their first award, ever! The most thrilling part for me was that we were in the presence of other professionals that all understand the heart and soul that we all put into each event we plan, each time. From smaller dinner parties to elaborate corporate events to extravagant weddings, we put ourselves into our clients’ shoes and work on creating events that will truly exceed their expectations. Not always do we hit the mark, but the heart that goes into trying to make each clients’ event truly special is always real!

I love what I do and I love why I do it! As the founder of the company, this magical night reminded me why RSVP Event Design exists and why we continue to help our clients dream beyond their greatest expectations and why we make those dreams reality!

RSVP Event Design nominated for an Event Industry Award

We are very excited as we just found out that we have been nominated for an event award! The Canadian Special Events Society hosts the Canadian Event Industry Awards (Star Awards) which recognizes outstanding achievements in all areas of special events. RSVP Event Design has been nominated in the Best Wedding Under 75K category for John & Yuki’s fabulous wedding.




We will be attending the awards in Toronto on March 25th. Keep your fingers crossed!

Here is our video entry.

Fun ideas to Celebrating Saskatoon’s “Cool Culture”

Well it’s a fact. If you live in Saskatoon or in Saskatchewan from early November to the beginning of April you will have a chance to experience this “cool culture” I am speaking about. By this I am speaking of WINTER! I have decided that if you can’t beat the winter weather you might as well join in some of its fun! PotashCorp WinterShines 2011 showed us that there are so many ways to celebrate winter! Ice Climbing, snow carving, sleigh rides, maple taffy making, dog sledding and ice carvings are just a few of the ways we celebrated at PotashCorp WinterShines 2011. The long winter months sometimes keep us in our houses. Here are 10 fun and easy things to do in Saskatoon and right in your own backyard.



1. Go for a walk- enjoy a walk down by the river. The riverbank in Saskatoon is so beautiful. Enjoy the beauty of the South Saskatchewan River, hoar frost on the trees and wonderful walk paths!



2. Build a snowman or snow fort. Put the snow piles that you have shovelled to good use and create an awesome fort with it!



3. Take a card board box and pack it with snow. Let it sit for a week or so cut the box open and carve away! Using old paint scrapers and files you can create beautiful snow sculptures right in your front yard.



4. Add some color to your front lawn. Fill 1gallon pails or larger with water and add some food coloring. Let them freeze. Then spread them around your yard. Add an LED light for night time! Not only have you had fun outside doing it but your yard will look beautiful as well!



5. Go for a skate at the Cameco Meewasin Skating rink (right next to the Bessborough Hotel). They have skates if you need to borrow! There is also a great spot to warm up if you get chilly!



6. Have a fire in your back yard and make Maple taffy! This is a fun and tasty treat for all ages! Check out www.canadianliving.com for a recipe on how to do this!



7. Challenge yourself to try a winter activity that you have never done before. A few popular activities are Cross Country skiing, downhill skiing, and snowshoeing.



8. Shovel your neighbours drive way or sidewalk. The extra fresh air will make you feel great!



9. Cross country skiing is a great way to get exercise. Visit Kinsmen Park or Wildwood golf course for wonderfully groomed ski trails.



10. Next year Visit PotashCorp WinterShines 2012 for more wintery fun activities to do by yourself or with your families!